GOODMAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, OPERATIONS & INFORMATION

SYSTEMS
Course Number: ITIS1P97
Term/Year/Duration: Fall/2020/D2
Course Title: Data Analysis and Business Modeling

Instructor Name: Dr. Nigussie Mengesha

Email: nmengesha@brocku.ca
Office Location: Online
Contact: Email, Microsoft (MS) Teams
Office Hours: Online
Teaching Assistants: Michael DeMatteo (mdimatteo@brocku.ca )
Liaison Librarian: Linda Lowry (Llowry@brocku.ca)

Times and Locations:

Lecture:
Prerecorded lectures will be released to students prior to the assigned lecture time slots. Students
are required to watch the videos and do the assigned exercises. As a continuation of the recorded
lecture, the professor will solve problems, answer questions, and clarify points during the assigned
lecture time slots as indicated below.
Section Day Time Location
5 THURSDAY 1000 – 1200 ONLINE USING MS TEAMS – FOR EXERCISES AND Q&A
9 FRIDAY 1000 – 1200 ONLINE USING MS TEAMS – FOR EXERCISES AND Q&A

Lab:
Sec. Day Time Rooms TA
1200-1300 (Group 1) Labs deal with data analysis,
5 TUESDAY VLZ309
1300-1400 (Group 2) Michael modelling, and database using
9 TUESDAY 1700-1800 (Group 1) DeMatteo MS Excel and Access, and are run
VLL309
1800-1900 (Group 2) by teaching assistants (TA).

Note:
• Be sure to know your Section as well as your Lab Group
• All laboratory sessions will start during the 2 nd week of the semester
• Students attend the lab for 50 minutes every week online using MS Teams.
• You have been assigned to a certain lab group; you must not switch to the other lab group for
your section or attend labs for different class sections.

MyLab IT online learning platform:

This online learning platform is designed to teach you MS Excel. It has several pedagogical resources
such as audio, video, simulation, step by step practice, exercises, etc. to facilitate the learning
process. You can access this resource from the course’s website on Sakai and it will be available to
you until you graduate from Brock. In addition to fulfilling the course’s requirement, you can get up
to three different badges that acknowledge your success in mastering MS Excel. Here are links to a
video that introduces the platform and a document that details System Requirements and Browser
Settings.
Course Calendar Description:
Data analysis and business modeling, process of transforming input data into useful information
through proper business analysis, are relevant to all business professionals. This data processing and
business modeling enhances the managers’ ability to use data effectively to better understand
customers and markets, and to improve their products and services. This course will provide students
with basic understanding of the value of data and information, as well as hands-on experience in data
analysis, data management and quantitative business modeling. Throughout the course, students will
be using extensively software packages such as Microsoft® (MS) Excel (including Add-Ins, such as the
Data Analysis Toolpak) for spreadsheets and mathematical modeling, and Microsoft® Access for data
analysis, model development and database management.

Course Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course. However, students are expected to have some knowledge
and skills in basic computing (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, and the Internet) as well as some
basic statistics & calculus background.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
Upon completing this course, you should be able to explain the concepts and to:
• Describe data and information, and their interrelationships;
• Apply the concepts of quantitative business models and some of the key issues in business
model development;
• Develop a simple database system;
• Apply integrated fundamental theory and practical business applications in a spreadsheet
environment; &
• Apply methodologies, tools and software used for developing and solving quantitative business
models.

Required Readings or Texts and Technology:

Evans, J. R. (2019). Business Analytics: Methods, Models, and Decisions, 3rd ed. Boston, MA.
Hard cover book+ MyLab package: ISBN – 9780135860274 (MyLab is not required for this
course)
Looseleaf book+ MyLab package: ISBN – 9780136571476
Standalone access card (e-text+mylab): ISBN – 9780135229293
Course ID: mengesha21051(Please use this course ID if you plan to purchase the
electronic version and follow the Student Registration Instructions)
Pearson MyLab IT
Available on Sakai – the course’s website

Course Communications:
All formal communications with the professor must be by email, and you are required to use
your Brock email account. Emails originating from other accounts may not get response. I try to
respond to emails within 24 hours during the week, and 48 hours on the weekends. In case of
emergency, you will be notified of it through Sakai. I’m available, online using MS teams, during
the lecture time slot for consultation and discussion.

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 Evaluation Components and Due Dates
Evaluation Component Grade Weight Due Date Brock Grade
MyLab IT assignments 15% Continuous (see p 7 & Sakai)
Test 1: Oct 1 (Sec 5); Oct 2 (Sec 9)
Online test (3) 20% Test 2: Oct 29 (Sec 5); Oct 30 (Sec 9)
Test 3: Nov 12 (Sec 5); Nov 13 (Sec 9)
Lab Assignment 1: Oct 9 A: 80 to 100
Lab Assignment (3) 15% Lab Assignment 2: Nov 6 B: 70 to 79
Lab Assignment 3: Nov 20
Lab Test 1 10% October 20, 2020 C: 60 to 69
Lab Test 2 10% November 24, 2020 D: 50 to 59
Final Exam 30% December 10 to 22, 2020 F: 49 or lower
Total 100%

Online Tests
There are three tests in this course. The tests include multiple choice and solve the problem type
questions based on lecture and textbook materials. The exact content and length of each test will be
discussed and announced in class and posted on Sakai. Except marks, test feedbacks will not be
provided to students; however, students can review their work up on request.
Lab Assignments
Students are required to submit 3 lab assignments in this course. The exact content of each lab
assignment will be announced a week prior to the due date. Students will have a week period to work
on each lab assignment.
Lab Tests
There are two lab tests in this course, where students are asked to solve problems using MS Excel
online during the assigned lab session. Students who attend the incorrect lab section for a lab test
will be assigned a grade of zero. Only written exceptions from the instructor will be permitted.
Computer files created should be uploaded to Sakai by the end of a 50-minute lab session for grading.
A grade of zero will be assigned to students who fail to submit files on time. Material covered during
the lab sessions may be included in the final exam.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
The final exam, 2 hours in length and worth 30%, will take place during the final examination period,
December 10 to 22, 2020. The Final exam is comprehensive and will be comprised of multiple choice
and solve the problem type questions. The exact number of each question will be announced in class
and posted on Sakai prior to the exam. The Fall Semester examination schedule will be posted by the
Office of the Registrar (http://www.brocku.ca/registrar/). Students who miss the final exam
without legitimate reason(s) or who have failed to inform the instructor of his or her absence
within 7 days of final exam date will be assigned a grade of zero on the final exam. Except marks,
midterm exam feedbacks my not be provided to students; however, students can review their work
up on request. Note that if a student is granted a deferred exam because of a legitimate reason, then
the deferred exam for the Winter Semester must be written by July 31st, 2021. The time and location
will be determined jointly by the student and by the instructor. See the Brock University
Undergraduate Calendar exam regulations at
http://www.brocku.ca/webcal/2020/undergrad/areg.html#sec51.

PARTICIPATION:
Students are expected to attend and participate in each lab and Q&A sessions.

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Late Submission Policy:

The penalties for late submission of assigned coursework (e.g., assignments) are 10% per day for a
maximum of three days, unless accompanied by medical documentation. See Medical Exemption
Policy and the medical health certificate at https://brocku.ca/registrar/toolkit/forms/
Relationship between attendance and grades:
You are required to attend all labs and review recorded lectures
Important dates: (check the section on sessional or important dates in the relevant online
University calendar at https://brocku.ca/important-dates/#fall-winter )

November 2, 2020 is the date for withdrawal from the course without academic penalty.
October 29, 2020 is the date you will be notified of more than 15% of your course grade.
October 12 to 16, 2020 is/are the scheduled reading week(s).
December 9, 2020 are set aside for designated reading days (these may be used to cover classes
missed because of adverse weather).
December 10 to 22, 2020 are set aside for formal examination periods.

Academic Policies
Academic Integrity:
Academic misconduct is a serious offence. The principle of academic integrity, particularly of doing
one’s own work, documenting properly (including use of quotation marks, appropriate paraphrasing
and referencing/citation), collaborating appropriately, and avoiding misrepresentation, is a core
principle in university study. Students should consult Section VII, “Academic Misconduct”, in the
“Academic Regulations and University Policies” entry in the Undergraduate Calendar, available at
http://brocku.ca/webcal to view a fuller description of prohibited actions, and the procedures and
penalties. Information on what constitutes academic integrity is available at
https://brocku.ca/academic-integrity/
Intellectual Property Notice:
All slides, presentations, handouts, tests, exams, and other course materials created by the instructor
in this course are the intellectual property of the instructor. A student who publicly posts or sells an
instructor’s work, without the instructor’s express consent, may be charged with misconduct under
Brock’s Academic Integrity Policy and/or Code of Conduct, and may also face adverse legal
consequences for infringement of intellectual property rights.
Special Accommodation:
The University is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and
will adhere to the Human Rights principles that ensure respect for dignity, individualized
accommodation, inclusion and full participation. The University provides a wide range of resources to
assist students, as follows:
a) If you require academic accommodation because of a disability or an ongoing health or mental
health condition, please contact Student Accessibility Services at askSAS@brocku.ca or 905 688 5550
ext. 3240.
b) If you require academic accommodation because of an incapacitating medical condition, you must,
as soon as practicable, inform your instructor(s) of your inability to complete your academic work.
You must also submit a Brock University Student Medical Certificate (found at
https://brocku.ca/registrar/toolkit/forms). The University may, at its discretion, request more
detailed documentation in certain cases. If you are unable to write a scheduled examination due to
an incapacitating medical condition, you must follow the process set out in the Faculty Handbook
III:9.4.1.
c) If you are experiencing mental health concerns, contact the Student Wellness and Accessibility
Centre. Good2Talk is a service specifically for post-secondary students, available 24/7, 365 days a

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year, and provides anonymous assistance: http://www.good2talk.ca/ or call 1-866-925-5454. For
information on wellness, coping and resiliency, visit: http://brockmentalhealth.ca/mental-well-
being/.
d) If you require academic accommodation on religious grounds, you should make a formal, written
request to your instructor(s) for alternative dates and/or means of satisfying requirements. Such
requests should be made during the first two weeks of any given academic term, or as soon as possible
after a need for accommodation is known to exist.
e) If you have been affected by sexual violence, the Human Rights & Equity Office offers support,
information, reasonable accommodations, and resources through the Sexual Violence Support &
Education Coordinator. For information on sexual violence, visit Brock's Sexual Assault and Harassment
Policy or contact the Sexual Violence Support & Response Coordinator at humanrights@brocku.ca or
905 688 5550 ext. 4387.
f) If you feel you have experienced discrimination or harassment on any of the above grounds,
including racial, gender or other forms of discrimination, contact the Human Rights and Equity Office
at humanrights@brocku.ca.

Sequence and Dates of Lecture Topics and Readings

Week Topics/Due Dates Chapter Readings

Week 1 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis Evans Ch. 1: Introduction to Business
Sept 9 – 11 • Quantitative Analysis and Business Analytics
Analytics
• Model Development Process
Week 2 Data Collection and Analysis Evans Ch. 4: Descriptive Statistical
Sept 14 – 18 • Data vs. Information Measures, and
• Data Display, Summary & Presentation Ch. 5: Probability Distribution and
• Basic Probabilities & Statistics Data Modeling
• Chi-Square Goodness of Fit Test
Week 3 Statistical Business Models Evans Ch. 8: Trendlines and Regression
Sept 21 - 25 • Regression Models, Simple Regression Analysis
Analysis
Week 4 Statistical Business Models Evans Ch. 8: Trendlines and Regression
Sept 28 to Oct • Multiple Regression Analysis Analysis
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Weeks 5 Catch up as required
Oct 5 - 9
Reading Week – October 13 – 16, 2020 No Classes
Week 7 Statistical Business Models Evans Ch. 9: Forecasting Techniques
Oct 19 - 23 • Time Series & Forecasting Models
Week 8 Optimization Models Evans Ch. 13: Linear Optimization
Oct 26 - 30
• Linear Programming Graphical,
Computer Methods
Weeks 9 Optimization Models Evans Ch. 15: Optimization Analytics
Nov 2 - 6
• Sensitivity Analyses
Week 10 Review of forecasting models as required
Nov 9 - 13
Week 11 Database Management & Development Supplement Database
Nov 16 – 20 MyLab IT
• Data & Database Structures
• Database Models using MS Access

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 Week Topics/Due Dates Chapter Readings
Week 12 Decision Analysis Evans Ch 16: Decision Analysis
Nov 23 - 27 • Decision making under Uncertainty
• Decision making under Risk
Week 13 Catch-Up, as required
Nov 30 – Dec 4
FINAL EXAMINATION: December 10 – 22, 2020

Sequence and Dates of lab activities and topics

Throughout the course, students will be using MS Excel (also Excel add-ins), and MS Access. Teaching
these software packages is not part of this course since students can easily learn them by themselves,
by using on campus resources or by using on-line resources. However, important topics will be
demonstrated during the labs.

A drop-in lab session with the Teaching Assistants will be arranged. Dates and times will be announced
in class.

Tentative Lab Session Topics Week

Week 2
Lab #1: Introduction to MyLab IT, Simulation training, and simulation hands-
Sept 14 – 18
on exercise
Week 3
Lab #2: MyLab IT Simulation training and grader projects Sept 21 - 25

Weeks 4
Lab #3: Analytics, data display, summary and presentation – MS Excel
Sept 28 to Oct 2
Week 5
Lab #4: Simple and Multiple Regression modeling – MS Excel
Oct 5 - 9
Reading Week – October 13 – 16, 2020 NO LAB
Week 7
Lab Quiz #1 (Based on the first four labs)
Oct 20
Week 8
Lab #5: Forecasting models – MS Excel Oct 26 - 30

Weeks 9
Lab #6: Linear programming – MS Excel (with Solver Add-In)
Nov 2 - 6
Lab #7: Linear programming – sensitivity analysis – MS Excel (with Solver Week 10
Add-In) Nov 9 - 13
Lab #8: Databases (Creating databases, tables, relationships and forms) – MS Week 11
Access – MyLab IT Materials Nov 16 – 20
Week 12
Lab Quiz #2 (Based on material covered after Lab Quiz #1)
Nov 24
Lab #9: Databases (Creating simple and complex queries, forms and reports) Week 13
– MS Access - MyLab IT Materials, about Access Grader Project: Capstone Nov 30 – Dec 4
Assessment #1

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Due Dates for MyLab IT assignments and projects

Assessment Type and Topic Due Date Weight

Simulation Exam Ch1: Basics of Excel Sept 18 1%
Grader project Ch 2: Formulas and Functions Sept 25 1%
Simulation Exam Ch 3: Charts Oct 2 1%
Grader project Ch 4: Datasets and Tables Oct 2 1%
Grader Project: Capstone project covering chapters 1 to 4 Oct 9 1%

Grader project Ch 5: Subtotals, PivotTables, and PivotCharts Oct 23 1%

Grader project Ch 6: What-if Analysis Oct 30 1%
Grader project Ch 7: Specialized functions Nov 6 1%
Grader project Ch 8: Statistical Functions Nov 13 1%
Grader project Ch 9: Multiple-Worksheet Workbook Nov 20 1%
Management
Grader Project: Capstone project #2 Nov 27 3%
Access Grader Project: Capstone Assessment #1 Dec 4 2%
Total MyLab IT Mark 15%

Note:
1. There is a built-in academic integrity verification mechanism in MyLab IT that verifies
whether a file uploaded to it is an original submission or a file copied from somewhere
else. If you submit a file copied from somewhere else or someone else’s work, you will
receive a grade of zero and the incident will be reported to the Department for further
penalty.
2. You can attempt a simulation exam or a grader project a maximum of two times. The
system records the maximum mark.
3. You can attempt a question in a simulation exam or grader project a maximum of five
times. You have unlimited attempts for the first two assignments.
4. The assignments with due dates and the title of which is listed in the table above are the
ones that will be marked. The rest are for you to exercise with.
5. The passing mark for all the assessments is 70%, except the Access project which is 60%.

ISAAK (BROCK UNIVERSITY'S LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)

Students will find additional course material such as the course outline, announcements, assignments,
lab material, and related articles on the ITIS 1P97 course Isaak/Sakai portal
(https://lms.brocku.ca/portal). Students should visit the course Isaak/Sakai portal regularly to obtain
up-to-date information. Some material taught in class or during the labs may NOT be posted on the
Isaak/Sakai portal. These materials will NOT be provided to students absent from the labs without
justification. However, material from the classes or from the labs will be included in assignments,
lab tests, and exams.